November 13, 2024

Post-Election Fireside Chat at NOON

With the 2024 election nearly in the rearview mirror, attention now shifts to the policy implications ahead for the franchise community.

Zoom in: IFA’s FranPAC-supported and our endorsed candidates had a significant impact on last week’s outcome, with over 90% winning their races. You can see the full results here. 

Happening TODAY: At 12:00 pm ET, IFA will host a Post-Election Fireside Chat with IFA President and CEO Matt Haller, along with political experts Kevin Yoder and Lori Denham. Register here to join the discussion.

IFA Advocacy Arm Makes Its Mark

It was a banner 2024 for the Coalition to Save Local Businesses (CSLB), IFA’s new 501(c)(4) advocacy organization to educate voters about candidates’ support for the franchise model. 

The big picture: CSLB’s engagement helped elect franchising-friendly candidates in several critical races, including U.S. Reps. John James (R-MI) and Hillary Scholten (D-MI), who retained their seats. It also helped defeat candidates who took a vote against franchising.



What’s next: Look for CSLB to continue making an impact by supporting franchise champions who prioritize policies that protect our model.

Congress Chooses New Leaders

All eyes are on Capitol Hill this week, as new and returning lawmakers head back to Washington, D.C. to name their leaders for the 119th Congress.

Zoom in: Most of the attention is focused on the U.S. Senate where three Republican candidates are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as the new majority leader: U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL) and John Thune (R-SD). President-elect Donald Trump has so far not endorsed. On the Democratic side, outgoing Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is expected to lead his caucus in the minority come January. In the U.S. House, both Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are projected to keep their same jobs in the new Congress.

The big picture: As the franchise community focuses on next year’s debate over the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), chairman of the powerful tax-writing Committee on Ways and Means, is expected to remain in his job. 

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What To Expect In The Lame Duck Session

As lawmakers return to Washington this week, they are aiming to complete Fiscal Year 2024 funding by the December 20, 2024, deadline, while also advancing other critical legislation, including the FY2025 National Defense Reauthorization. 

Zoom out: While leadership elections are also underway in both chambers of Congress, there could be a number of changes with some Members of Congress departing for administration roles leading to potentially competitive special elections.

Why it matters: Additional priorities, like the Credit Card Competition Act and Tax Relief for American Workers and Families Act, may be attached to must-pass bills in this final session.

IFA Leads Opposition To Minneapolis Labor Standards Board

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council's Public Health & Safety Committee advanced a resolution creating a Labor Standards Board (LSB) without allowing public comment, prompting strong opposition from the IFA-led Save Local Restaurants (SLR) coalition and our coalition partners. 

What’s next: The resolution now heads to a City Council vote on Thursday. 



• SLR is working with key swing council members and the mayor's office to sustain a possible mayoral veto. 

Go deeper: Although no public comment was allowed, SLR advocates and allied business groups showed up in full force at the Health & Safety Committee meeting with "No to Labor Standards Board" signs and t-shirts. The coalition's media-blitz and meetings with swing council members continues ahead of Thursday's full council meeting, including a press conference with business leaders yesterday, as well as a guest column in the Minnesota Post. 

IFA Urges Delay on Overtime Pay Increase

On November 8, IFA sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) requesting the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) delay the second increase to the minimum salary threshold for overtime pay until at least May 1, 2025.

Dig deeper: Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025, the rule would expand overtime pay eligibility to salaried workers earning less than $58,656 a year. 

What’s next: There are currently three legal challenges to the final overtime rule in federal courts. Even if the rule is upheld in the courts, the incoming Trump Administration may revisit the policy upon taking office next year.

November 13 at 12:00 pm ET | Webinar: Post-Election Fireside Chat | REGISTER

November 18 - 20 | Emerging Franchisor Conference, Austin, TX | REGISTER

November 19 at 1:00 pm EST | FBN Webinar: Understanding the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division Laws: Compliance Essentials for Employers | REGISTER

November 26 | GREAT TEAMS Learning Series: Great Teams Strive to Build Camaraderie & Collective Direction | REGISTER

February 10 - 13, 2025 | 2025 Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV | REGISTER

April 11 - 12, 2025 | International Franchise Show London, ExCeL London | REGISTER

May 9-10, 2025 | The IFA World Franchise Show, Miami, FL | REGISTER